Business Tips from CEO's

Want to be an entrepreneur? I will be posting here more business tips from the experts! From brilliant minds of CEO's, Presidents, Managers and Business Consultants.

 

 

“Always check your cash flow, as long as it’s positive, you’re doing already – Richard V. Dalao, Agri-PTS

“I’ve learned that you have to understand the local market very well so you can focus on the right products and the right image. You must understand competition, so you’ll know where to focus your strategies.” Daniel M. Moran, Red Ribbon Bakeshop

“Earning money is just a consequence of being an entrepreneur. The important thing is you do something for the good of the majority.” Tomas Victorino A. Meneses, Tyno Drug House

“If you work hard and do your very best, everything will fall into place – business will improve, your career will improve, and you will be rewarded financially. And that’s all I expect from our employees, for them to give their very best.”  Johnip Cua, Proctor  & Gamble Philippines

Tips to Consider Before Joining a Trade Show

A trade show can be one of the cost-effective measures that you can employ whenever you are building presence or increasing the sales of a company. However, getting into this venture should not be based solely with the frenzy attitude circling in the business world. So, before you jump off into this endeavor, heed these valuable tips to gain maximum benefits.

•  Do evaluate. Carefully evaluate whether your business can be exposed to qualified targets or not.

•       Read. Know the very details of the trade show from proposed schedule to more important details.

•      Advertise. Be proactive and do both online and offline advertisement of your participation in a trade show.

• Set your objectives. Before you opt for a trade show, define first your goals— is it exposure of your business or increased sales in your products and services?

•      Craft a message. Trade shows are similar with advertisements. In light of this, make sure that your message is clearly relayed to attract prospect targets.

• Be prepared. Preparedness should be depicted not only on the equipment for your trade show, but as well as on the expertise of your staff.

•       Booth. Make sure that your booth is equipped with the basics in reaching out and demonstrating your services to the people.

In brief view, preparation has its great share on the success of any business taking part on a trade show. Therefore, do the necessary preparatory routines to get ahead of your competitors.

Why ecards are not killing Christmas

Modern Technology has transformed the world in which we live; especially in business, but new technology always has detractors. Recently, electronic greeting cards have come under attack from the Bishop of Hertford, the Rt Revd Paul Bayes. He slammed e-cards for crushing the festive spirit and stealing vital income away from charities that use greeting cards as a way to bring in funds during the festive season.

Alongside fair trade retail group, Traidcraft, the Bishop of Hertford is now looking to convince the public to begin buying traditional Christmas cards instead of using digital ecards. In lots of ways he may be right about individuals sending e-cards, but when it comes to corporate businesses the story is certainly different. Corporate e-cards are now hugely popular and doing a lot of good in the world in the following ways:

Saving trees

It may be true that e-cards are taking a slight bit of the fun out of sending cards to family and friends, but look at it from a business point of view. An organisation has to send out thousands of festive greetings rather than just a few, which has a huge effect on the amount of paper used. This means that every year hundreds of thousands of trees are cut down around the world to support corporate festive greeting cards. This is destroying the natural rain forest and habitats of exotic animals that are being forced to the edge of extinction by our paper usage. So sending an e-card makes sense when the environment is your top consideration.

Cutting carbon emissions

Businesses are being pressurized to cut carbon emissions vastly to hit Government targets and put an end to climate change. This makes the logistical ease of e-cards the perfect way to slash carbon emissions each festive season. Rather than having to transport thousands of cards to clients across the globe it takes just the click of a button to pass on festive greetings without harming the environment.

Giving something back to the environment

A bonus of buying your corporate e-cards at eco2greetings is that instead of just saving trees being pulled down and reducing your carbon footprint, they will even plant trees on your behalf. For every order of e-cards you place the team will plant ten trees across the world in the neediest areas. They will even promote this within your e-card to show your customers just how much you car about the environment.

Leading the Pack: What Makes a Great Business Manager

Employers, sorry to break it to you, but you are often one of the main reasons why employees either stay leave their position. Part of your job is to keep your staff happy and productive, and while at times this can be challenging or take up a part of your day, the alternative is having to pay $200 a day for a job advertisement. A good manager doesn’t just plan, instruct, organise and lead; they have the ability to inspire, motivate and communicate with purpose and sincerity. It’s one of the toughest jobs out there as you are dealing with endless expectations and egos, but it is so rewarding when you receive positive feedback and staff who go above and beyond because they believe in the company’s vision as much as you do. In this modern world, there are skills and qualities you have to adapt to ensure this happens. Here is just a few.

Supports New Ideas

Employees that feel that their opinions and ideas can’t be heard often feel that they are not an integral part of the business. If one of your staff members comes to you with an idea to a problem that the company is facing and provides a solution, it means that they care about the future of their job and the direction of the company. It’s not only in your best interest to listen, but their new idea could be a fresh take on an old practice – one your company needs to have that competitive edge. By supporting their vision, you are lighting a motivational flame and providing a safe place where they feel as if they matter, regardless of whether it works out in the end.

Always willing to delegate

We all have all had that kind of manager, you know that one that just can’t let go of their baby (project) and if they do, spend the whole time micro-managing the situation. A great manager has obviously hired their staff for a reason and should be able to place trust in them to complete a project. It also means you are less bogged down with extra work, and you can focus more on your managerial duties.

Gives Credit Where Credit is Due

A great manager recognises when their team is working effectively and at a high standard. Even if they are appointed set tasks for the month, there is likely to be curveballs in the form of unexpected workloads thrown into the mix. If you’re team comes out at the end of the month unscathed, it pays to reward your staff with compliments or incentives.

Doesn’t Make Rash Decisions

If you are a leader, it’s safe to say that you got to where you are now through hard work and years of experience. You aren’t going to throw that knowledge out the door when it comes to making big decisions. A great manager doesn’t rely on that one size fits all mentality, they resort to past mistakes, failures and positive experience to make an informed decision.

Supports training and learning

Times are always changing, and if you intend on being a good leader, you need to stay on top of what’s happening in your industry. If you feel as those your employee’s skills aren’t up to industry standard, ensure that they have every opportunity possible to continuously learn and grow. This may be through allowing your staff to complete training programs like Axcelerate Australia, upgrading your technology systems, or attending industry conferences. This will motivate them and be beneficial to the company moving forward.

What makes your manager a great manager – or a bad one? Tell us in the comments below.

The 10 Business Commandments

While I was reading an old business magazines, I came across an article about the 10 Business Commandments that I want to share with you here:

1. Be a business enthusiast

If you’re going to make a living out of something, then you’d better immerse yourself in it. Keep reading newspapers, magazines and websites that will keep you informed. Brush up on business basics. Whatever you do, don’t stop learning.

2. Have  a life

Make sure you don’t work too hard. Leading a full life keeps you from experiencing burnout and allows you to regain your strength and work even better.

3. Take aim

Some companies try to be too many things to too many people in the game. Sure, youre aiming to cut across all markets. But by doing so, you won’t be able to excel in any of those markets and might just lose out in the end. Instead, define your market. Gain your foothold in a single field, develop a loyal following, and then expand your services.

4. Have a plan

Gut feelings are not something to be ignored. But even if you’re about to go against all odds, its always best to think things through. That way, when something doesn’t go your way or you have to defend your idea to others, you’ll be confident that you have all bases covered.

5. Leave your comfort zone

Don’t ever stick with the same method just because it’s the one you always use. If someone approaches you with a compelling argument on why an existing method should be changed, go ahead and give it a chance. Just be sure that you make a wise decision. And remember, its always best to get a second or even third opinion.

6. Have a regular check-ups

It’s so easy to get caught up in work that one day you might just wake up and realize that you haven’t really accomplished anything. Avoid this scenario by having regular meetings with your staff. Review accomplishments, bring up any threats, get updates on the progress of others and evaluate how your business is progressing as a whole.

7. Give credit where credit is due

While your associates and customers help fund your business, your employees are the people who keep it running. They’re a crucial part in your success, so make sure you let them know how much they’re appreciated.

8. Build relationships with Customers and Others

Not just with customers. Expanding your social connections and interacting with different people is a great way to generate more contacts, ideas, opportunities, and referrals.

9. Better to Work Smart

There’s a big difference between working hard and working smart. Working hard can keep you in office way past 6 p.m and leave too exhausted to do anything else. Working smart is using your time wisely and making sure that all your actions are steps towards your ultimate goal.

10. Be passionate

Your customers can tell whether or not a business is genuine, so can your employees, investors, and partners. If you’re not enthusiastic about making your business succeed, then don’t expect anyone else to be.